Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the remote meeting, held under new regulations which came into effect on 4 April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  She took Members through some general housekeeping issues, together with the etiquette for the meeting and then asked Officers present to introduce themselves.

This was followed by a roll call of all Members present.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Miss S White.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 October 2020, (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 October 2020 be approved and confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, other Pecuniary Interests or Non-Pecuniary Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 6-8 inclusive of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

Councillor M F L Durham declared a non-pecuniary interest in all items on the agenda as a Member of Essex County Council who were statutory consultees on a variety of matters relating to Planning.

In relation to Agenda Item 5 20/00910/FUL – Land Adjacent to Little Totham Hall Church Lane, Little Totham the following declarations were made: 

·       Councillor J V Keyes declared a non-pecuniary interest as he knew the applicant; he had done haulage for them in a previous job and went through Young Farmers with them.

·       Mrs J L Fleming declared that she knew the applicant well and although she would remain in the meeting she would not comment or vote on the application.

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

Following the Officer’s presentation, the Chairman moved the Officer recommendation that planning application 20/00910/FUL – Land Adjacent to Little Totham Hall Church Lane, Little Totham be refused for the reasons as detailed in section 8 of the report, this was duly seconded.

Councillor R H Siddall having called the application in, opened the debate by drawing Members’ attention to the dilapidated nature of the existing building, its central location within the farmyard, it’s screening from the listed church by a large agricultural barn, and that in accordance with Policy D1 of the Local Development Plan (LDP) it would enhance the design and quality of the area.

In response to questions from Members, clarification was given by Officers as to the distance of the proposed annexe from the main dwelling and that the proposal was for a rebuild of the existing building.  The Lead Specialist Place agreed that several criteria for an annexe had been met however there was a need for the building to be ancillary to the main dwelling. 

The Chairman put the Officer’s recommendation to refuse the application to the Committee and upon a vote being taken it was lost. 

Further discussion ensued as to the building’s central location within the site and its ancillary nature.  Councillor J V Keyes proposed that due to the nature and proximity of the site layout of the property it did meet the criteria for being an annexe to the main dwelling and that the application be approved contrary to the Officer’s recommendation.  This was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken it was approved.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to conditions delegated to the Lead Specialist Place in consultation with the Chairman and Ward Members.